Media Release

ProMedica and Community Partners Come Together to Discuss Hunger

posted on: 05/08/2012

TOLEDO, OHIO, April 11, 2012 – To help address hunger in metro Toledo, ProMedica, YMCA and JCC of Greater Toledo, United Way of Greater Toledo, the Urban Affairs Center, The University of Toledo, and Toledo Grows are coming together for Conversations to End Hunger, a community summit on Wednesday, April 25, from 12:30 – 5 p.m., at the Huntington Meeting Room at Main Library, 325 North Michigan Street.

“Hunger is a growing problem in our community and one that causes significant health issues,” says ProMedica President and Chief Executive Officer Randy Oostra. “Having an open, honest dialogue about the challenges our community faces along with collaborative discussions around solutions, we can end hunger in our region.”

Today in the United States, one in five households lacks enough food to meet basic nutritional needs at some point during the year – some 49 million Americans. Twenty-five million individuals depend on food banks and charities. Locally, more than 43,000 adults and 42,000 children depend upon food assistance (food stamps) which is 22.1 percent of the Lucas County population.

The goal of this event is to facilitate dialogue around the barriers faced by local organizations who are working to end hunger in our community and to create long-term, significant change.

This event will feature a keynote address on creating a sustainable food economy from Kenn Dunn, founder of the Resource Center in Chicago, followed by these breakout sessions:

Policy Change to Enhance Local Food Production, an open discussion on policy and other barriers to community gardens at faith-based organizations, in neighborhoods and schools.

Community Collaboration: Striving for a Stronger Safety Net, an open conversation on working better and smarter together to benefit the community.

This event is free and open to the public. To register, please call 419-242-7401 or email jlarkin@tamohio.org.